California Desert Protection Act (1994-2014)

CDPA 20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION EVENTS

Twenty years ago this fall, the California Desert Protection Act (CDPA) enlarged and re-designated Joshua Tree and Death Valley national monuments as national parks, established the Mojave National Preserve, and designated 69 new Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wilderness areas. The CDPA 20th anniversary in Fall 2014 presents an opportunity to celebrate and support the preservation, enhancement, and sustainability of the California Deserts Region for current and future generations.

Saturday, Oct. 4 – Coachella Valley“Nuestro Desierto, Nuestra Comunidad” – A day-long event to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the California Desert Protection Act and Hispanic Heritage Month, and to celebrate the Hispanic community’s role as stewards of the California desert. Special guest, Congressman Raul Ruiz. 10 to 11 a.m., Stewardship of the Desert prayer service at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Indio; program by pastors from Por La Creacion, Faith-based Alliance; 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., lunch served. 12 to 12:30 p.m., caravan to The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens in Palm Desert; 1 p.m., guest speakers, presentations; 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., guided tours of The Living Desert and family-friendly activities. Free admission limited to 100 event attendees, must RSVP. The Living Desert will also be open to the public for general admission (www.livingdesert.org). Location: Indio and Palm Desert, Coachella Valley, CA. Hosted by Hispanic Access Foundation. (202)640-4344. www.hispanicaccess.org

Oct. 26-Nov. 2 – Death Valley“Wilderness Week” at Death Valley National Park kicks off with a Moonlight Walk, which will highlight Death Valley’s pristine night sky and recognition as the largest International Dark Sky Park in the world. During the week, park rangers will lead hikes into the wilderness that was established by the California Desert Protection Act (CDPA), which encompasses 91% of park lands. Interpretive programs will include a message about the CDPA and the Wilderness Act and their significance to the character and management of the park. An exhibit entitled “Faces of Wilderness” will recognize the people who helped pass this significant legislation. Location: In and around Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Death Valley. Hosted by Death Valley National Park staff. (760)786-3207. www.nps.gov/deva

Friday, Oct. 31 – Death ValleyAn anniversary event on Friday evening will honor the many citizens who contributed their time and expertise over the years to the successful passage of the CDPA. Guest speaker will be Ed Rothfuss, who was Superintendent of Death Valley National Monument in the years leading up to and during the passage of the CDPA and Death Valley’s re-designation as a national park. Location: Furnace Creek Visitor Center auditorium, Death Valley. Hosted by Death Valley National Park staff. (760)786-3207. www.nps.gov/deva

Friday, Oct. 31 – ShoshoneAn opening reception for the Death Valley National Park Wilderness Photo Exhibit by National Park Service staff will be followed by a keynote speaker, who will focus on the CDPA and the importance of the wilderness corridor of the Amargosa Basin and Range, which connects Death Valley National Park with the Mojave National Preserve. The event kicks off Old West Days in Shoshone. Location: Shoshone Museum, Shoshone, CA. Hosted by Shoshone Museum Association. (760)852-4524.

Nov. 1-2 – Mojave National PreserveVeterans' Campout – The Vet Voice Foundation will host a guided Veterans' Hike and Campout in the Mojave National Preserve. Leaves from 29 Palms on Nov. 1 at 11 a.m., ends in 29 Palms on Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. Tour will include Kelso Depot, campout at Hole-in-the-Wall campground, and participation in star-viewing astronomy party. Veterans will be encouraged to share their own "campfire stories" about why they support public lands and how the CDPA’s passage has supported that. Camping equipment and food will be provided. Open to veterans and the media, limited spaces available. To participate or for more details, contact Steve Dunwoody at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Nov. 7-12 – TecopaNight sky programming and “star parties” in Tecopa will be held in conjunction with a field trip hosted by Friends of the Pleistocene, a professional group of approximately 150 geologists who will be in the area observing the world class geology of the Amargosa Basin. Location: Tecopa Hot Springs Resort, Tecopa, CA. Hosted by Shoshone Museum Association. (760)852-4524 or (760)852-4420.

Nov. 13-16 – RidgecrestThe Ridgecrest Petroglyph and Heritage Festival will include ancient rock art exhibits and tours, hikes, speakers, music, educational workshops, and a step back into the history of Ridgecrest and Indian Wells Valley. Hosted by Ridgecrest Area CVB and City of Ridgecrest. Location: Maturango Museum, Petroglyph Park, Balsam Street, Kerr McGee Center, Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert. Event information: (760)375-8202. www.rpfestival.com

Thursday, Nov. 13 – Victorville “The Remarkable California Desert, an American Icon” is the theme for an anniversary dinner and presentation by the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC). The event includes dinner, opening remarks from the National Parks Conservation Association, and a keynote speaker on the profound wildlife and wild lands in the Mojave Desert and why the Mojave matters. Invitational, limited seating. Location: Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District office in Victorville, 14306 Park Ave., Victorville, CA. (760)245-1661 x6101. Hosted by MEEC. www.meeconline.com

Friday, Nov. 14 – Joshua Tree1 to 3 p.m. – Guided hike on the Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Quail Mountain property in Joshua Tree. The hike is designed for the public with all levels of hiking abilities and includes interpretive signs, brochures, and dialogue about desert ecosystems and the importance of the CDPA. Snacks and beverages available at the trailhead. Admission free. Location: MDLT’s Quail Mountain property near Joshua Tree National Park west entrance, at the top of Park Blvd., Joshua Tree, CA 92252. Hosted by Mojave Desert Land Trust. (760)366-5440. www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org

Friday, Nov. 14 – Cathedral City5 p.m. - “The Incredible Journey” at the AM/FM Festival. Screening and discussion of the short film produced by youth of the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City’s “Leaders In Training” Program. “The Incredible Journey” follows the BGCCC kids through 2014 on their educational and outdoor exploration of public lands in and around the Coachella Valley. Join the journey and participate with the youth as they go hiking and wading in pools at Indian Canyons, climbing rocks at Joshua Tree National Park, and paying a visit with Bowser, the Desert Tortoise at the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa National Monument. Hear the youth reflect on the California Desert Protection Act, which was passed before they were born. Location: The AM/FM Festival at the Mary Pickford Theater, 36850 Pickfair Street, Cathedral City, CA 92234. Information: Scott Robinson (760)770-4965. See media release for more details.

Saturday, Nov. 15 – Twentynine Palms3 to 4 p.m. – Mural dedication for the 20th Anniversary Mural for the CDPA and Joshua Tree National Park by California muralists Chuck Caplinger and Art Mortimer. Location: Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, near Joshua Tree NP Headquarters. Hosted by Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, Public Arts Advisory Committee of the City of Twentynine Palms, Action Council for 29 Palms Inc., and 29 Palms Historical Society. Information: (760)217-8839. Directions to Museum: (760)367-2366. www.JTNPArts.org and www.29palmshistorical.org